Just one more chapter…

Category: recommendations

The world can be a pretty sh*tty place sometimes. We only have to check our Twitter feeds or turn on the nightly news to hear about more death, more injustice, more reasons to make you feel like you should just give up and curl into the foetal position. But just because things are tough, that doesn’t mean we can give up. In fact, we have to fight harder than ever before to make our voices heard and stand up for what’s right.

It’s certainly not easy, and even though we’ve come so far, we still have a lot of work ahead of us. But in these difficult times, sometimes we just need to escape into a fictional world for a little while. Being constantly switched on to the disturbing and sickening news we’re bombarded with on a daily basis is known to take a toll on people. And that’s why I think so many people find solace in books, and shows, and movies.

One of the most important things about fictional worlds is that, more often than not, they depict stories about overcoming evil and fighting for what’s right. In these dark and uncertain times, we need these kind of stories. We need to be reminded that there is always hope. Friendship and love will outweigh hatred and fear. We all need to be reminded of that at times.

So I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations for when the world feels like sh*t. Because let’s be real: it so often does. Pick up one of these books, get lost in the pages, and you’ll find yourself coming out the other end a slightly different person to when you started it. Whether it’s a realisation that you matter, or that you have the power to be heard, each of these books have messages that we need now more than ever.

“We’ve all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on…that’s who we really are.” — Sirius Black

There’s nothing I love more in this world than coffee and books. If you follow me on social media, you’ll know that I’m absolute Starbucks TRASH. I go there every morning on my way to uni, pick up my coffee and my blueberry bagel, and sit down to enjoy a few chapters before I head to class. It’s my favourite part of the day, ngl.

Yeah, I know loving Starbucks makes me a basic bitch, but hey, I’m leaning into that. Leave me in peace to sip on my light soy caramel macchiato while telling you about how I’m a Scorpio and that I’m still not over how Katniss chose Peeta and not Gale. Starbucks just soothes my soul, okay?

So today I thought I’d pair my love of coffee and YA together to recommend some upcoming releases you should read based on your Starbucks order! Whether you’re more of an iced latte gal or if you prefer your drinks a little more Extra™️, I’ve got the perfect book for you. ENJOY!

Isn’t it just the best feeling when you read a book and go YES. That’s me, right there on the page!? There’s nothing quite as exciting as feeling seen in a novel. It can be because of a character’s ethnicity, or sexuality, or even something small like a character quoting The Office or shipping Quirrelmort like you do (#1 Quirrelmort shipper right here). Seeing a part of you in a book is one of the things I love most about reading, and as a queer cis white woman, I’ve been lucky to see myself represented on the page in a lot of what I read.

REPRESENTATION IS IMPORTANT, Y’ALL. I’m sure as fellow bloggers, I don’t have to tell you that twice. But one of the aspects of representation that I believe we need to see more of in YA is disability representation—and the spreading of awareness for books with disability representation that we already have available to us. So today I just wanted to shine a light on some of the books featuring Deaf characters that I’ve read recently.

Of course I have no place to say whether the representation in these novels is accurate or how well these characters are written, but I do hope that if you’re looking for more books with hearing impaired representation this list helps you out! I really enjoyed all of these, and I’m definitely on the lookout for more books starring Deaf protagonists. Hit me up with all your recommendations!

I AM A MASSIVE BUZZFEED UNSOLVED STAN. What can I say? I just love Shane and Ryan with all of my heart. I’d let myself be possessed by a demon if it meant saving their lives. I’d step in front of a flying bullet coming from a mob they’d pissed off if it meant they could continue making their amazing content. #AllHailTheWatcher

But for all of you Shaniacs and Boogaras out there craving more BUN goodness, I’ve compiled a little list of books you can go on to read, based on your favourite episode! Well, these are just four of my favourites, and I hope you liked these ones as well. Is there anything better than a good old fashioned mystery? I DON’T THINK SO.

Well, maybe a ghost. Ghosts are cool. I would very much like to meet a ghost please.

How’s everyone going on their 2019 Goodreads Challenge? Good, I hope? Even if you’re not – don’t stress! I’m currently sitting at around 70 books out of my goal of 150, which is a little behind schedule, but I’m enjoying all of the books I’m reading. That’s the main thing!

But because I’m not interested in reading straight white book after straight white book, most of the novels I decide to pick up are queer! I’m a sucker for a good queer romance, what can I say. And even books with queer protagonists without a romance! And books with full casts of queer characters! JUST GIVE ME ALL THE ADORABLE QUEER MUNCHKINS, ‘KAY?

I’ve read more queer books this year than I can name off the top of my head, but I’ve decided to pick my ULTIMATE FAVES to recommend to you today! All of these are 2019 releases, so if you’re in need of more queer books in your life (OF COURSE YOU ARE), I definitely recommend adding these ones to your TBR! Enjoy!

It’s almost that time of the year again! The time where gorgeous pictures of rainbow book stacks take over the bookstagram community, booktubers recommend all their favourite queer novels, and bloggers participate in epic reading challenges. That’s right! It’s almost Pride Month! And gosh, I could not be more excited.

But to celebrate Pride Month, there are a few bookish things in particular that I always love doing! Hold onto your Pride capes and get ready to throw some glitter, folks, because things are about to get real queer over here!

Read some queer new releases!

There are always too many books to read and too little time, right?! These are just a few of the new and upcoming queer releases I’m looking forward to reading this Pride Month! They all sound spectacular, and I hope my little list helps you add some more LGBTQIAP+ to your to-read shelf.Read More »

I am a MASSIVE FAN of podcasts. Seriously, I can’t get enough of them. I’m that weird person who doesn’t mind walking to the train station and commuting to uni because that’s my quality podcast time. Our lives are always so busy that it’s nice to just sit down for twenty minutes, listen to a great pod, and watch the world fly past.

I know some people are really into thriller podcasts, or history podcasts, but I just love all of them. A fictional sci-fi / horror podcast about a whacky town in the middle of nowhere? YES PLEASE. A true crime podcast about two women’s favourite murders? SIGN ME THE HECK UP. Seriously, I’m not fussy. I just love podcasts.

So today I’m going to be recommending EIGHT INCREDIBLE PODCASTS YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO. And they’re perfect for book lovers as well! Whether you’re looking for a podcast with a gripping story, or one that will help you hone your own craft, I gotcha, babe.

Welcome to Night Vale

THIS IS THE FIRST PODCAST I EVER LISTENED TO! Holy crap, it’s been a ride! I started listening to Welcome to Night Vale back when I was in 9th grade, and I can still remember my friend recommending it to me (I say still remember like it was 20 years ago instead of six). It’s a fictional sci-fi / horror podcast about this strange town called Night Vale, narrated by a radio host named Cecil. And seriously, it’s weird. There’s a sentient glowing cloud with the ability to control minds, a faceless old woman who secretly lives in your home, a forbidden dog park, and hooded figures that must not be approached under any circumstances. Oh, and there’s a gay romance subplot, which I always love! Welcome to Night Vale is such an iconic podcast in pop culture, and you should definitely check it out if you haven’t already.Read More »

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About Me

Hi everyone! My name is Sarah, and I'm a blogger, booktuber, and writer from Melbourne.

I'm the co-creator of The YA Room, a Young Adult book club in Melbourne. I'm currently a student, and I've interned at places like Penguin Books, Hardie Grant Egmont, Melbourne Writers Festival, and Writers Victoria. I also have a booktube channel (The YA Room) and a bookstagram (@writtenwanderings).

When I'm not reading, you can probably find me buying too many books, binging a show on Netflix, or writing and drinking way too much coffee at my second home — Starbucks.